6 Month Old Not Wanting to Eat!

He has went on a strike it seems! Since he got a taste of regular food and table food he doesn't want that jar stuff anymore. My son does it to me too. I just keep feeding him the baby food until he will eat it again. He eventually realizes he is hungry and won't fight me anymore. Or if I am eating something that I know he won't choke on and is easy for him to mash since he still has no teeth, I will just feed that to him.

Who would've known that they could have a mind of their own at such a young age??!!!

You know my friend went though the same thing and i'll tell you what i told her gave him some kind of supplement everyday like a drink or vitamin that way he's still getting the nutrients he needs.Some kids are just picky with there food and at his age theres no reason to push him to eat. Thanks,K.

my website
http://www.stayinhomeandlovinit.com/cgi-bin/team.cgi?id=K...

There must be something about that name! My 19 month old is named Jayden and he is 35 pounds and wears a size 7 shoe. He loved his baby food, but he also loved "real" food. Especially those biter biscuits! If he want what your older son or you is eating, let him try it. It sounds like he is super observant and doesn't want to be left out! Someone makes something called veggie sticks that my Jayden loved. You can find them in the chip aisle and they are essentially dried carrots and zucchini. However, they have been "puffed" not fried so they are crunchy but still healthy and easier for a baby to eat. Also keep in mind the bulk of his calories and nutrients are coming from his formula so don't worry if it doesn't seem like he is getting enough baby food. The main goal of baby food is to get them used to different flavors and textures. If he can handle it i see no reason not to give him whatever you are eating provided it is soft enough for him to gum down.

kids go through ups and downs depending on their growth cycles. it's perfectly normal. no child will starve themself so don't worry. you say that he will eat grown up food, but not the baby food, so you might try giving him real food instead of the the processed baby stuff. all you have to do is cook what ever you're having down a little more and mash it up or cut it super tiny. squash, potatoes, and whole wheat pasta are easy ones. with whatever kind of sause you happen to have made for the night. as long as you are actually cooking dinner and not visiting your local fast food chain, it should be perfectly fine for him.

Hi T.
My son did the same thing he started refusing baby food at about 8 months and wanted what everyone else was eatting and today he is 16 months and his weight is 22lbs and he is health as can be. I watch everything he eats to make sure he is eatting health.

I wouldn't worry about it to much. The formula is full of all the nutrients he needs. My twins went from age 6 - 9 months without wanting to eat baby food. I would try some and they would eat it for about two days, then go two weeks with just formula. They are 13 months now and are healthy. They are tall for their age but only weigh 20 pounds. I keep baby food on standby now if supper is not done, because when they get hungry they have no patience at all. He will grow out of it, and believe me kids will let you know when they are hungry. Good luck.

Miss T., I understand your concern. As moms, it freaks us out when our kids won't eat like we think they should, but from your post, it sounds like the 6 mo. old is healthy and growing, so I think he's getting enough to eat. Now whether he's getting the right nutrients or not, I can't say. But my daughter hated baby food. I bought maybe 20 jars before it became crystal clear I was wasting my money. She just wasn't interested, and after tasting some of the baby food myself, I couldn't blame her! Until she started teething, I simply put mixed cereal in her formula bottle and gave her easily gummed items like sweet potato veggie puffs (I can't recall the brand name, but they're marketed for little ones and practically dissolve on the tongue). I do not recommend giving him any fruit juices, not even diluted with water, since you'll end up with 'Star Trek' poop in the ol' diaper (he'll poop like no other baby has pooped before !) plus fruity smelling poop is just awful. Uggh!

Anyway, I hope this helps. But as long as your doctor doesn't feel it's a problem, don't sweat it and supplement his formula with cereal. Then when he can chew solids, start giving him the good stuff - real food!

If he's able to eat what you and his brother eat, let him have it. I tried baby food with my daughter and she didn't like it - I tasted it and discovered why she didn't like it - the stuff is nasty - after that, she ate what I ate, mashed up so that she could handle it.

Have you tried to just use table food? Many people use table food to make their own baby food. We totally skipped the baby food with most of our kids (they hated it), and fed them mashed sweet potato, mashed banana, carrots, oatmeal...and just about all of the things we were eating. They loved it and will still eat most fruits and vegetables to this day. I would totally avoid all baby food desserts (one of the top ingredients is SUGAR), and just go with the table foods. There is a great book out called, "Feed Me, I'm Yours." Baby food is convenient, but not necessary.

If he doesn't want it, then don't force it. Try a food processor for the food that you and his brother are eating so that maybe he'll eat them instead. Have him eat green beans and mashed potatoes, things that he can gum. As long as he's getting the formula, he's probably okay on his nutrition. My youngest son did the same thing. He totally skipped the baby food and went right to the soft table foods at 6 or 7 months old. He's small for his age as well, but he's healthy.

Hi T.,

I am a mother of 4 my littlest one will be 6 months on the 4th of June.My kids were all big for their size my little one now weights in at 20lbs. Most people would say his formula is good enough he is getting what he needs and really he is.I have been feeding mine food since he was 5 months old and not just baby food.He gets what I am eating.If it is something I know he can eat without choking.He has ate everything from chicken and meats to vegtables and even some cake.Try eating his baby food with him that is what I do if he is so interested in what you eat.Act like it is really good and then he might think so also.But I would not worry he may not be ready to food yet try again in a couple of weeks maybe.He is getting everything he needs though through the formula.....I hope this helps I know I do not do everything by the book but my kids are healthy so I guess I am doing something good.....H.

since he doesn't want to eat the baby food and likes what you eat then try to blend up what you eat and feed it to him. it probably taste better than the baby food anyway.